Mahabaleshwar, Queen of all Hill Stations, is located at a height of 1,372m in the heart of Sahyadri Hills in Satara District. The hill station has a well-known past. The name 'Mahabaleshwar' is derived from a temple of Lord Mahadev and three Sanskrit words, "Maha" (great), "Bal" (power) and "Ishwar" (God). However, some say that the name 'Mahabaleshwar', which just means very powerful God, seems to have a mythological past.

The British in order to get away the summer heat of the plains and in their look for for cooler lovely climates, were always looking for mountain tops and plateau for recreation and change. So it happened that Col. Lodwick (Late General Sir Peter Lodwick) stationed at Satara, in April 1824 with a contingent of soldiers and Indian guides climbed up the mountain face reaching what is now known as the Lodwick Point. Thus Mahabaleshwar was "Discovered".

Mahabaleshwar is well-known for its scenic beauty and the splendid views of the valleys and the sea, which is quite visible in clear days pony rides on the lanes of Mahabaleshwar, are quite exciting.

Numerous charming hill resorts nestle in these mountains. They seem to belong to the regal era when people traveled up to these resorts to escape the heat of the plains. Several of them still retain some of the Old World charm and create an ideal holiday destination. Mahabaleshwar is by far the greatest of any holiday spot in Maharashtra for climate, excursions, sports and a lot of other behavior. It is, behind all, the "Queen of all Hill Stations".

How to reach here.

By Road:
Since Bombay via Pune, Mahabaleshwar is 290-km and via Mahad it is 247-km. The State transfer buses ply from Bombay and Pune to Mahabaleshwar. MTDC operates daily bus services except throughout the monsoon, between Bombay-Mahabaleshwar-Bombay. Also sightseeing tours for Mahabaleshwar and Mahabaleshwar-Pratapgad Fort.

By Rail:
Nearest railway station is Wathar at 62-km, but Pune is the suitable railway station at 120-km.

By Air:
Nearest airport is Pune at 120-km.